(Greenfield, Iowa) – The Adair County Sheriff’s Office reports a man from southeastern Iowa was being held at the Adair County Jail on a $500,000 cash-only bond. 18-year-old Gaige Matthew Schwochow, of Ottumwa, was arrested Oct. 17t in Fontanelle, by Adair County Deputies. He was wanted on an Adair County Felony warrant issued Oct. 14th, for: Lascivious Acts with a child – inflict pain or discomfort; Enticing a minor under 13 – sexual abuse or exploitation; Lascivious Acts with a child – solicitation; and Sexual Abuse in the 2nd Degree.  Additional information concerning the charges was not immediately available.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater said there were four other, separate arrests:

• 19-year-old Cole Michael Pfister, of Tiffin, was arrested Oct. 18th for Driving While License Denied or Revoked. He was taken into custody by an Iowa State Patrol Trooper, following a traffic stop for excessive window tint, while he was traveling on I-80 in Adair County. Pfister was being held in the Adair County Jail, on a $1,000 cash or surety bond.
• 36-year-old Derik Wayne Bud Pickrell, of West Des Moines, was arrested Oct. 19th at the Polk County Jail, on Adair County warrants for two counts – Violation of Probation. He remains held in the jail without bond.
• Also arrested Oct. 19th, was 35-year-old Maria Soledad Pantoja, of Afton, who was arrested for OWI/1st offense. She was later cited and released.
• And, on Oct. 20th, 51-year-old Ronald Lee Bacon, of Altoona, was arrested in Greenfield on an Adair County warrant for three Felony counts of Burglary in the 3rd Degree. His cash-only bond was set at $10,000.

(Red Oak, Iowa) – No injuries were reported following a collision this (Monday) morning, in Red Oak. Police say a van rear-ended a semi-tractor trailer at around 8:45-a.m., near the intersection of Highway 48 and W. Oak Street.  The incident occurred when 30-year old Bailie Preston, of Atlantic, became distracted by a child in the back seat of the 2019 Dodge Van she was driving. The eastbound van was slowing down, but did not come to a complete stop before it hit the back of a 2020 Freightliner semi driven by 67-year-old Kenneth Hamman, of Red Oak, who was stopped at the stop light.

The truck – registered to UPS out of Des Moines – sustained $500 damage.

(Exira, Iowa) – Officials with the Exira Public Library said Monday, that “With the approval from the Library Board, the library will be closed until further notice due to water damage from a water heater leak over the weekend.” Library officials said also, “We hope to get everything cleaned up and taken care of soon so we can get back to normal as soon as possible. If you are in need of anything, you may call and leave a message at the library 712-268-5489. We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for understanding!”

(Radio Iowa) – A 46-year old man sentenced to life in prison for a 1995 murder in Des Moines has died after a prolonged illness. According to a news release from the Iowa Department of Corrections, Timothy Keith Palmer died early Friday morning and his death was not related to Covid-19. Court records show a jury convicted Palmer of the beating death of a man in an area that used to be known as the “Lost Planet” — a former dumping site in Des Moines.

The dead man’s B-M-W and credit cards were stolen and used in Kansas City. Palmer was among five people charged and convicted in the case. Palmer unsuccessfully appealed his sentence, arguing his lawyer was ineffective during the trial.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The City of Atlantic’s Parks and Recreation Department is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Parks and Recreation Director. The Assistant Director will assist with the planning and directing of all Parks and Recreation programs for the city and serve as a member of the management team, assisting the director with overall management and supervision of the Parks and Recreation Department. Successful candidates must have experience and demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively, communicate effectively, lead/supervise multiple staff and volunteers, manage budgets, and lead/build partnerships.

A high school diploma or GED equivalency is required and experience in Parks and Recreation is preferred but not required. Certification as a Certified Pool Operator is required within 12 months of being hired. This is an exempt position; salary has been authorized by City Council. For a full job description go to www.cityofatlantic.com. Send a cover letter, resume, and references to City Hall, 23 E 4th Street, Atlantic, IA 50022. This job will remain open until filled. EOE/AA/Veterans Preference

Camp Dodge, Johnston, IA – Officials with the Iowa Army National Guard report, last month, an Ankeny woman returned from basic training and became the first female enlisted infantry Soldier in the Iowa National Guard. Private First Class (PFC) Taylor Patterson with Company C, 168th Infantry joined in June 2020, and enlisted the infantry. PFC Patterson says her support system at home and her drill sergeants during infantry school pushed her to succeed. “There obviously was a lot of guys who didn’t think the females were able to do that, but I am like, I am proving it to you,” she said.

Patterson is sworn in as an 11 Bravo – Infantry soldier.

An infantry Soldier holds a significant role in the U.S. Army. These men and women learn a variety of skills, from squad tactics to close-quarter combat training to engage with the enemy during warfare. In January 2016, the U.S. Army opened combat arms positions to women. Since then, many women have sought to fill “front line” related jobs in the organization. Patterson was not the first female to enlist as an 11B infantryman in the Iowa National Guard. Still, previous women were unsuccessful in completing the grueling 22-week training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Major General Ben Corell, the Adjutant General said “The Iowa National Guard needs people who are willing and able to take on the challenge of serving in the infantry; Pfc. Patterson is breaking barriers for others to follow.” The Iowa National Guard consists of approximately 9,000 service members. Many of the Soldiers and Airmen train one weekend a month and two weeks a year.

(Radio Iowa) – A nurse from the Iowa Poison Control Center says Iowans planning to use dry ice for special effects around Halloween should use proper precautions. “People like to use to use dry ice at Halloween time because I feel like it adds to the atmosphere of the spookiness.” But Tammy Noble, a nurse who is the education coordinator for the Iowa Poison Control Center, says dry ice is far colder than normal ice and can cause frost bite if it touches bare skin. “Make sure you wear gloves,” she says, “and then also make sure you’re using it in an area with good ventilation to avoid the carbon dioxide that’s being released from building up any place.”

And Noble says dry ice should never be used in a beverage. “Swallowing the dry ice is extremely dangerous due to the issues with frostbite like inside your throat and your esophagus,” Noble says, “so that’s very, very dangerous if somebody would accidentally swallow that.” Noble says parents need to keep track of the small, button-sized or coin-sized batteries that may be used to illuminate or animate children’s Halloween costumes.  “You want to make sure that kids aren’t getting that compartment open and accidentally swallowing those batteries because those batteries could get stuck in the esophagus,” Noble says, “…If that does get stuck in the esophagus, a burn can happen as that battery is still able to conduct that electrical current and that burn can happen within even a couple of hours, as short as two hours.”

One of the most common calls to the Iowa Poison Control Center centers around glow sticks used to make kids more visible in the dark. The sticks sometimes get punctured as they’re snapped to activate the glow or kids bite into the sticks. The ingredients in glow sticks are generally non-toxic and, while there can be a burning sensation, most cases will not require medical attention. Noble encourages parents to call the Iowa Poison Control Center, though, if they need guidance, particularly if the liquid is swallowed. It can cause irritation inside the mouth and an upset stomach. The Iowa Poison Control Hotline is answered 24 hours a day. The number is 1-800-222-1222.

(Glenwood, Iowa) – Police in Glenwood reports two Glenwood men were arrested Friday. Authorities say 46-year old Steven Howard was arrested for Violation of a No Contact Order. He has since posted a $300 cash bond, and was released. And, 42-year-old Noah Handley was arrested for OWI/1st offense. His bond was set at $1,000.